Rota Rod Rotamex 5

General Information

Columbus Instruments' implementation of the classic rotating rod enhanced with features that assist monitoring and recording animal performance. Up to four animals may be simultaneously tested for their ability to maintain themselves upright on a rotating rod. Animals are placed on a spindle within a lane sized to the subject under test. The operator may select accelerating or constant speed mode of operation as well as a slow speed waiting mode before acceleration takes place. Speed and acceleration rate are programmable. An animal fall is detected by infrared photo-cells which cross the space just above the spindle. Once all the photocells loose sight of the animal, the time is recorded.

There are two diameters of easily interchanged rotating rods; one for mice and another for rats (see specs below for measurements).
Rotamex-5 can communicate with computers when equipped with RS-232 Output option with Software: Software allows additional functions of the rota-rod. Programmed intervals for speed changes, even spinning direction, can be programmed into a specific protocol of the users design. With the photocells at the top, rather than the bottom, looping behavior can also be monitored; length of trial and number of loops. Data generated is in a CSV format to be easily opened by most statistical analysis programs.

References Cited (386)

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